It is time to plan the next breeding season, and part of that is to investigate the possibility of introducing new Herd Sires. The impact of the Herd Sire is very significant on the development of the Cow Herd. One cannot expect to breed good animals if one uses inferior bulls and inferior females.
During the last inspection (June 2012), the technical advisor from the Breed Society and I classified the bulls for your convenience. The result thereof will be found in the column “Rating”. Please note that physical appearance and breeding values were taken into account. Stud Sire potential bulls are marked with 1++. Very good bulls were marked with 1+, above average bulls with 1 and good commercial bulls with 2. There is also a group of bulls that were classified to rather be sold directly from the Farm. These bulls are approved by our Breed Society Standard of Excellence, but they deviate from our ideal of a bull that is going to the Central Select Sale. Very importantly, ALL THE BULLS HAVE BEEN INSPECTED AND ARE APPROVED! By the time they reach the Sale, they will also have had their fertility tested.
The Kamab Simbra Stud recently received two significant awards that have a bearing on you, the bull buyer: Biggest Simbra Herd in Namibia and Second Biggest Simbra Herd in Southern Africa! This leaves you with a wide choice and gives you the surety of genetic variation and progress. On offer this year we have bulls for sale from 14 different sires! The second award: 1st prize awarded for most stars received for Simbras in Namibia 2012, based on Calving, Simbradex and Breeding Values. By knowing this, you have the assurance that the Kamab Simbra Herd is managed well and that we maintain the highest possible production standard possible. Plus: you have certainty in what you are buying and we have peace of mind that we are selling superior breeding stock!
A quick word on feeding: everybody knows that animals have to be fed for sales and shows. How you feed is the crux: we have developed the fine art of feeding our cattle so that they present themselves well, but their constitution, hardiness and adaptability is not affected. The animals are fed at a lower rate over a longer period of time. They are not stabled: they run in the veld, get fetched every morning, get their 1% of bodyweight concentrate, and are released to the pasture again. The bulls are used to grazing and their rumens are still intact. They will not chase a fodder bag, but will chase after cows and heifers, if allowed!